Meta-Analysis of the Impact of Ambient Particulate Matter on Lung Function Across the Lifespan

The main aim of this meta-analysis was to gather information from studies regarding how air quality is correlated with lung function by measuring spirometry values (FEV1 and FVC), classified according to age. Although numerous investigations have found a general association between air quality and respiratory health, there remains a scarcity of research that quantitatively compares pooled effect sizes across different stages of life. Some single studies have discovered, nevertheless, an association between lung health values and air quality. The object of this meta-analysis, therefore, has been to deeply investigate existing evidence pertaining to a connection relating lung health issues to exposure of particulate matter such as PM2.5 and PM10. Meta-analysis has been achieved through a separation of age groups and a calculation of averages, Z-scores, and P-values by attempting to establish how strong of a connection exists, if at all. Since all P values, having been estimated for each age group, have been <0.01, it has been possible to establish a negative relationship between lung health and air pollution from a very young age until older ages. A deficit of 2.19% among children, a deficit of 31.2 mL among adults, and a deficit of 1.08% among the elderly have been found for every 10 μg/m³ of exposure, emphasizing how different age groups are affected by air pollution and the importance of public health intervention in this area.